It’s a milestone day here at AQ, as the Antiquiet Podcast is now on iTunes for your steamy streaming/downloading pleasures. We’re for reals now, according to the ghost of Steve Jobs.

Episode #6 is a passionate one. Exploring the origins and evolution of protest music, Skwerl and I address the absence of pivotal protest songs – and artists potent enough to write them – in today’s music landscape. Bridging the gap between CSNY’s sociopolitical flashpoint Ohio and Public Enemy’s By The Time I Get to Arizona, we dig into ample backstory on both while dealing with the fact that what we have now, instead, is Prophets of Rage.

But first, we start things off by exploring the Eagles Of Death Metal documentary Nos Amis. The film, directed by Colin Hanks and available on HBO, recounts firsthand accounts of the 2015 terrorist attack at the Bataclan club in Paris that stole the lives of 89 fans, from the band as well as surviving attendees of the show. It’s a compelling, poignant and ultimately cathartic encapsulation of the band’s fight to find a new normal while honoring those we lost.

We go way back with Jesse and EODM, from our rip-roaring first interview with Hughes all the way up through a messily schizophrenic attempt at documenting a day in the haywire life of Boots Electric and beyond. This week’s recording provides a little more context for our affections/affiliations.

The episode opens with Jesse Hughes and his sexdemon crew covering It’s So Easy by Guns N’ Roses (which is definitely not a protest song). You can hear the entire track right here. This week’s closing song is familiar to Bob Dylan fans and Pearl Jam lovers alike – as it’s among the most powerful protest-song renditions in existence.

So have at it. I bet you five bucks you’ll learn something. If you’re down to subscribe to this new little obsession fire of ours, we’d appreciate it. We’re curious to know what you think so far – suggestions welcome. And don’t worry, Soundcloud devotees – we’ll keep posting the podcast there as well.

Johnny Firecloud's been kickin' names and takin' ass since his first interview in 2001 with A Perfect Circle, 6 years before starting AQ with Kevin Cogill. He also spent ten years as music editor/senior writer at CraveOnline.